There are 1.93 million reasons why the Rockies should bring back shortstop Trevor Story. And one big reason why our favorite rooftop bar in LoDo won’t be able to retain the face of this sorry baseball franchise.
During a major-league season impacted by COVID-19, when Coors Field didn’t open its gates to full capacity until late June, attendance slipped by more than one million fans from the pre-pandemic season of 2019.
If the Rockies care one bit about the 1.93 million spectators who paid to watch a team that was doomed to miss the playoffs from the first pitch on opening day, general manager Bill Schmidt should show Story more money than the Yankees, Rangers or any other free-agent suitor is willing to offer. Forgive Story’s rocky 2021 season, when his .251 batting average and .801 OPS were the second lowest of his career, and win back his heart.
“We’re going to set some time out to have the conversations with the Rockies and obviously some other teams as well,” Story said Sunday, confirming there have been no negotiations with the club on a new contract. “Hearing the plan and what (the Rockies) project going forward is important.”
Do the Rockies have a detailed, coherent plan to compete in the National League’s toughest division? If so, it would be news to us all.
Story, not to mention any discerning Colorado fan, would be crazy to return to Coors Field unless the Rockies can offer something more than pie in the sky. I would like to know the blueprint for success and a reasonable timetable for a return to serious playoff contention.
Is that too much to ask?
The one big reason why the Rockies won’t do right by Story is the same reason he’s looking to leave an organization that treats its stars like replaceable parts. Franchise owner Dick Monfort takes his paying customers for granted.
So long as the sun shines in LoDo, Monfort has operated his business on the assumption winning baseball by the home team isn’t really important to people in Denver, where most everybody was born someplace else and grew up rooting for the Dodgers, Cubs or Cardinals.
If the Rockies don’t retain Story, who’s the face of this franchise?
Well, it’s certainly not crafty starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela or first baseman C.J. Cron, whose bat goes boom like dynamite inside the hitter-friendly confines at 20th and Blake. Good on Schmidt for making solid contractual commitments to both players, although it would be unfair to expect either of them to tilt the balance of power in the NL West from the Giants and Dodgers.
Riddle me this: If Story departs in free agency, how many Colorado fans who wore his No. 27 to home games are going to run out and buy a replica uniform of Cron or Senzatela?
While the crowd still loves singing along to Charlie Blackmon’s walk-up song as he strides toward the batter’s box, Chuck Nazty ain’t what he used to be. The pop is gone from the 34-year-old Blackmon’s bat and it’s not coming back. He’s a defensive liability. While it might be painful for everybody to admit, sentimentality might be the most solid of shaky reasons to believe Blackmon should be anything more than a fourth outfielder in 2022.
The Rockies hot young prospects aren’t so young any longer. It’s time for pitcher German Marquez (age 26), outfielder Sam Hilliard, 27, as well as infielders Ryan McMahon, 26, and Brendan Rodgers, 25, to grow into consistent performers.
That manager Bud Black coaxed 74 victories from this motley crew is nothing short of a minor miracle
“I like baseball and I think Bud Black’s done a fantastic job with that team they have there right now,” said Broncos coach Vic Fangio, when I asked him last week to evaluate the work of his friend in the Rockies dugout. “For them to maybe get in the mid-70s in wins with their roster and where they’re at, transitioning, I think he deserves some votes for the manager of the year.”
The Rockies are certainly expected to make a qualifying offer to Story. But he will take it as a formality to be rejected before listening to the sales pitches from teams that truly believe that the primary purpose of 162 regular-season games is to pursue a championship rather than sell Dippin’ Dots.
What is it worth to the Rockies to win back the trust of fans?
And what price is too high to keep Story in a Colorado uniform? Is it a $20 million salary? More?
How much does Monfort really love Story or his paying customers?
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October 06, 2021 at 08:30AM
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Kiszla: Rockies will find money to win back Trevor Story’s heart, if franchise owner Dick Monfort cares about fans - The Denver Post
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